Ahhhhh Monday

Monday - again.

I am armed with my list and ready to go - I am going to fit all my errands into today so I can stay home and clean out closets, drawers, and cabinets this week.

First, groceries followed by Target, PetSmart, Phone Calls, and then dinner prep.

Change

The weather is changing and it is lovely!

Time for fall clean out! If it was not used it is gone...in the fall yard sale of course. Then, wipe it all down and rearrange it all.

Time for changing around of the furniture to. I have a difficult time leaving rooms the same for long periods of time - so if you hear me shuffling furniture around at 2:00 a.m. - go back to sleep!

Manic Monday

Would it be wrong to fit EVERYTHING into one day - today (Monday) so I could have the rest of the week off?

This weekend we caught up on some much needed family time. We also ran a few errands and bought a new family board game for "game night" before bed. The kids all bathed early and are ready for some hang out time, with the game on in the background (of course).

Have a great start to the work week everyone!

P.S. Carly, Ella Grace wanted you to know she bought some shorts like yours. She can't wear them to school unless they are under her dress - the teacher clued me in that her panties are showing during gym time. Guess with boys you don't have that issue!

Blogging More...

Okay, I am going be begin blogging more...

Should we begin with last week? I had a conference on Wednesday with Christian and Carson's teachers...outside of the tendency to "finish first" and turn their test quickly they are adjusting very well and enjoying their new school.
Ella Grace....my heart aches! The first week, someone pushed her down "my friend" she says and she has a "cut" on her forehead that requires stitches! These people in the ER know me by first name - something is wrong with that! Second week of school, is going great - on green (behavior indicator for parents) all is well and she seems happy. Third week of school - HOLY COW what happened!?!?! My sweet little girl is on ORANGE (not a good color) with remarks "not following direction and not listening." Then, I receive a call from the school - Ella Grace took her skort and panties off on the playground and tinkled....oops! When we ask her why she just says, "I not suppose to?" - I don't think she fully comprehends how to explain why she did or didn't do something. I am sure it will come in time, but she is just not there yet. I really wanted to say - be glad it wasn't number 2! So Friday, I was approached by her teaching staff (conference set for later in the week) that perhaps we should think about counseling for her.....WHAT?!?! She is 5 - she has a grasp of the English vocabulary, but it is still developing and this whole school thing is new to her - can we not give it a chance to work before we send the kid off to counseling?!?!? Come on bloggers, friends and family post your thoughts...

ONE YEAR

It has been a L-O-N-G time since I posted, but I felt today we needed to post. Today marks one year that Ella Grace Ana Payne has been home! It seems sometimes like just yesterday and other days it seems like she has always been here. She is a remarkable child and I say that not just because she is our daughter, but because I look back on this year at all of her accomplishments and just think WOW - what an amazing little person and all that she has endured in her short little life span.

So today, we will celebrate her arrival home and the coming together of our family. We are fortunate and so very blessed.

I promise to back track and fill in the gaps from the last post now that life has slowed down a bit.

OUCH!!

Patrick was out running today listening to his iPod as he usually does. Then, out of nowhere, his iPod fell out of his arm snuggy and crashed to the ground.

Needless to say the ground won and Patrick is without an iPod. It will cost $200.00 to repair - he is asking if anyone wants to help him out to send visa cards (the kind you can by at Walgreens) to him or make a donation to his account through USAA gift giver....email for account or mailing address:

Lisa.Payne2006@gmail.com

Luv2BeLa8@aol.com

Thanks in advance for any contributions!

One Birthday Closer...

...to being a teenager!

Christian celebrated his 11th birthday today with a trip to Peter Piper Pizza and chocolate cake!

Tuesday, we will celebrate again with a party at the theater.

We will see "Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs"

each child will receive 1 kid pack (popcorn, coke, & candy), and we have use of the party room for food/cake/and presents! Christian is really looking forward to Tuesday!

P.S. On a side note, I am not liking the growing up part of this kid thing....I cry every birthday!

Happy 4th of July

Happy 4th of July to everyone!

As a military family we are very sentimental and proud of this day and of our soldiers. airman, and sailors who protect and defend our country and those who need our help. Thank you to the local, state and federal employees who serve our great land!

This is Ella's first Independence Day - for us it has such a special meaning that one day she will fully understand is more than just hot dogs and hamburgers grilling on the grill, more than just fireworks and sparklers in the night - although it is a great way to celebrate!

Where are you from?

Yesterday, I went to Verizon to change out my blackberry (long story) and as I was at the counter being helped I hear this conversation:

Ella: "Where are you from?"

Lady: "I am from California, where are you from?"

Ella: "From the orphanage."

Lady: "Oh, oh okay is it nice there?"

Ella: "No, I no like it in the orphanage, I have family now."

At this point someone walks over to help the lady and she walks away....

We have explained to Ella she is from Ukraine, but she always says she is from the orphanage.

Mommy why....

Okay, we have all (many of us) been through the "why" stage. Most of the "whys" we can answer...

Why does Izzy pee outside and not in the potty?

Why does Thor eat off the floor?

Why do we eat?

Why do we clean the house?

Why does daddy go to work?

Easy enough, right?

Well, what about these:

Mommy, why did I live in the orphanage?

Where are my baby pictures?

Did I grow in your belly?

She is 5! She gets she didn't live here forever and she gets there are not any "baby" pictures of her sitting around the house. How did you answer these?

I said, "Because a long time ago this wonderful lady carried you in her tummy and brought you into the world. She tried very hard to care for you - to give you food, clothes and a place to live. She loved you, but realized she was not able to take care of you like she wanted to. She took you to the orphanage and asked the ladies there to care for you, to give you food, clothes and a place to live, and they did until daddy and mommy came to bring you home."

She often asks now if Christian and Carson lived in the orphanage or if daddy and mommy lived in the orphanage. I know in her mind she is trying to put this picture together. I have to admit, I thought these questions would come a bit later.

9 Months

Celebrating her 9th month home!

19 Years Ago...

...I married my best friend

and today, we celebrated our friendship, love, and our committment.

Where did 19 years go?

Our slice of heaven...

This is our backyard. It wasn't like this when we moved here last July. Jim has worked hard putting in a pond complete with fish, a tree house for the kids, rope swings, grass, flowers, mulch, and so much more. It is a nice tranquil place to relax in the morning with breakfast and coffee or in the evening with a glass of wine. Great job honey!

These swings entertain not only our kids, but the kids from the entire neighborhood. It seems they are in constant use and the squeals of delight are music to the ears. The older kids climb the ladder holding the swing, tuck it between their legs and jump! They say it is like flying as they sore through the air and into the leaves on the tree.

Jim's pond. I think he should start a pond business when he retires (I secretly hope that is awhile away). The kids love to feed the fish, turtle and frog. I love sitting and listening to the water trickle and the birds singing as I am enjoying a glass of wine at night, but Jim likes the morning with the quiet of the early morning, the cool air and his breakfast...

Lights on or off at night this little corner is just so tranquil.

Recovery

Ella's 2 front teeth are still a bit wiggly, but the bruising is gone. We are not sure if the teeth will tighten back up, but if they don't the tooth fairy has been notified these teeth are special losses - hopefully, she will be generous.

This is Ella with Izzy, our boxer, who is almost 10 months old. They love each other! I am not sure what the conversation was here, but I bet it had something to do with the bone in Ella's hand. Hard to believe 8 months ago Ella was scared to death of (sobaka) dog.

A new baby...

...Introducing

Thor our new baby boxer who is 6 weeks old!

Pictures

Split lower lip and lower gum line

Injury to upper lip, gum and chipped tooth - both front

teeth are loose.

Ella saw her dentist today. Basically he said yes it looks bad, but after an x-ray he said there is really nothing he can do. She did not break any bones or cause any deeper damage than what we can visually see. The teeth are her baby teeth and they will either tighten back up or not....we just wait. The swelling and bruising will go away and she will be just fine. Her chipped tooth is not a major concern since it is a baby tooth. He could repair it, but again it is a baby tooth.

She is on Motrin & Tylenol and a liquid to soft food diet for awhile in order to give the teeth time to tighten. She is complaining of "Big Ouchies on Ella's eip"

Thank you for all your private emails, calls, prayers, and messages for her and us.

Emergency Room

We made a trip to the ER this evening. Ella Grace was hit full on in the mouth by a swing from a good 'ole fashion iron golf club. Her bottom lip was split open - deep (no stitches since it didn't pass the wet/dry line) and she has damage to her upper gum, frenulum, 2 front teeth, and her lower gum (not nearly as bad as the top). We will be headed out in the morning to see the dentist/oral surgeon for the next step. She is in pain, but resting comfortably now in bed.

Support

Thank you all for your words of encouragement. I have had several personal emails in addition to the postings from parents who are experiencing the same behaviors from their children.

I don't feel so alone now!

We are continuing to move forward with love, support, and encouraging the "right" choices.

On another note, the young men are doing great and are looking forward to summer. We have continued to home school, putting in extra time working on expressive speech, pronunciation, spelling and math skills. We are considering some time at Sylvan Learning Center over the summer.

Thanks for following along and again, thank you for your emails and messages!

80% Wonderful 20%.....

I'd have to say we feel so blessed Ella Grace is healthy and happy, and while 80% of the time life is wonderful there is 20% that makes my head spin! Lately, those moments are the sneaking, disobeying, lying, and shifting blame - particulary to Christian. For example, her bangs are cut....so I asked her, "Ella, how did your hair get cut?" Ella responds with, "Christian did it." hmmmm. I asked Christian, "Did you cut Ella's hair?" and of course, I knew the answer would be no. When I go back and ask Ella again she will say, "Ella cut it." Grrrrr. I have explained to her we don't cut our own hair and we don't tell fibs even if we think we might get into trouble that God, Mommy, and Daddy, prefer honesty.

Now, we will move on to the next example. I had just fed her 2 nice sized pancakes, yogurt, a banana and some juice. I think that is a sufficient sized breakfast for any little girl. It's actually more than what Christian and Carson will eat. Not 15 minutes after I am finished cleaning up the kitchen and I have gone to another room, Ella will come into the kitchen open the pantry and stand there eating dry cereal! She says she is hungry. I think not!

Other issues...when I am home she closes the door to sleep, but when Jim is home she screams until he leaves it open - this is called getting over on papa or having papa wrapped around your little finger! She will not stay in time out which is sitting on her bed without toys. No, she finds her way quietly into my bathroom and goes through all the lotions, perfumes, and my expensive make-up until they are destroyed. I have tried moving her to a time out some where closer to me but then she wants and tries to carry on a conversation. Then there is the if I have said no r not to do something she will go seek out papa or Patrick....or the reverse.

Overall, she has adjusted beautifully and had bonded and blended right into her family and to the United States. She has picked up the English language wonderfully and is now picking up Spanish all while retaining her Russian (understanding but not speaking). I am sure these things I have mentioned are minor in comparison to other issues other adoptive families are experience, but they are big for us.